 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Minjun
Date: 2022-06-21 00:44
Hi,
I played on few different instruments, and one thing I noticed on all of them was that B right below the tuning C was always very stuffy compared to another notes on the instrument.
Is this something common across most instruments?
Thanks,
Minjun
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-06-21 01:02
If you are relatively new to clarinet, that may seem a bit daunting, but yes. The shortness of the tube (clarinet) makes this note characteristically "non-resonant." You can add fingers to allow the vibrating column of air to incorporate more of the horn. I suggest trying adding the second and third fingers of both hands. There are other suggested "vent fingerings" but this one is pretty cool because it does NOT use pinky keys and therefore makes it easy to move from virtually any note, or to virtually any note.
You still need to add a bit more pressure for that note to get it to match those around it. It takes some time to get the feel just right.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-06-21 03:48
ah.........thanks Donald.
Then........not sure, the B natural should not be an issue. It is usually just a bit sharp.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2022-06-21 05:18
Do you remember which models you were playing? Also when were these instruments last serviced? B does tend to have a different tone and response than the notes around it, but it shouldn’t be stuffy. One trick you can try is pulling the bell out by a few mm. This creates a sort of “voicing grove” that can help. Also try holding down the right pinky F/C key. If that improves the note then your crow’s foot is out of adjustment.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Minjun
Date: 2022-06-21 06:33
I also do think it might be bad pads. I had Uebel clarinet that I used for around 6 years before I got a R13 pretty recently, and B was a lot worse on the Uebel. And For the R13 whats probably happening is I am probably thinking the note is stuffy because of the different sound.
Minjun
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2022-06-21 08:04
Exhausting ALL other possibilities, including training, that B can be made clearer by, of all things, adding the throat-tone A key.
Depending on your instrument, it also may improve the tuning of that note.
B.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2022-06-21 08:52
What is "tuning C"? To me it's the lowest C but I've never though of any C as the "tuning C". Could be below the staff or middle of the staff.
If it's below the staff, then B is a "partially vented" note, meaning the next tone hole is closed, and is between C and A#, both are fully vented (though A is partially "vented" again). B specifically is a bit more stuffy on some clarinets and especially bass clarinets, but usually not to the degree that it's a problem. A lot of notes are "partially vented" and the instrument is built around that compromise.
If it's the long B i.e. in the middle of the staff, then it's the longest note on the clarinet, takes the most effort/air sometimes, plus the register vent is at the end of its compromise.
Both of those "issues" become pretty much non-issues with experience and a decent clarinet.
If it's the middle B, then it could also be a bad adjustment, usually with the F/C key not closing by the E/B key when it should. It's affecting the B much more than the low E, unless it's so much that neither even plays.
If it is the middle B, try playing it by also pressing the F/C key and see if that makes a difference.
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2022-06-21 11:21
clarnibass wrote:
> What is "tuning C"? To me it's the lowest C but I've never
> though of any C as the "tuning C". Could be below the staff or
> middle of the staff.
Nitai, in wind bands clarinets typically tune to the 3rd space C. So I believe the OP is talking about the long B, just over the break.
To the OP: as well as the things that were mentioned, water in the register tube can make the long B hard to play. The water can be blown out by taking the upper joint, covering all the holes and the lower end, and blowing, while suddenly pressing the register key.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2022-06-22 20:11
I bought a used "A" clarinet with a mismatched bell, and it had this problem. When I got a bell of the same brand as the rest of the clarinet, the problem disappeared.
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